Novice

The wind in Ayrshire is about 15mph SW I would say. My mate was racing North today and took 5 hours for 180 miles. About 30 mph so I would think Ypres pigeons on the East side will do 50mph.

I have witnessed strikes around the loft and the peregrine can be put off by noise when in pursuit. I know that whistling works but it may be an idea to try one of those air operated horns used by football supporters. I think there is a fair chance that will work for you.

At least his mood will still be mellow.

No doubt he is a canny Dooman. I took great pleasure in seeing him and the good lady (Mary) licking ice cream cones while waiting for the Newbury clock check. In his own inimitable manner he has still to offer to buy me one.

I have a friend who feels that liberations after 18:00 attract less interest from BOP. Personally I am not convinced.

Brian the area you live in is absolutely polluted. I trained from there for years from the Cattle Market on the hill and from Minishant. Last time I went there I lost 5 experienced pigeons. I think your best bet is to try to find a site further from home so that they are going on a line before they are hit. They are easy prey while circling. Did you take your father's as well?

Perhaps the Ayrshire North Roaders are there. Kyleakin will perhaps know the details.

dull overcast with grey drizzle in Ayrshire.

Get well soon Walter!

Clouding over in Sunny Ayrshire. It was ok in Lanarkshire earlier. I liberated about 05:30 at Eurocentral. I noticed a teenager (completely off his face on something) crossing the M8 on foot just about Coatbridge. No wonder accidents happen.

I know and respect the fancier by reputation but there my knowledge ends. South Ayrshire fanciers have huge BOP problems now and have my sympathy.

Andy, I have no intention of discrediting your race in any way but your recollection of pigeon history in Ayrshire is either very poor or very selective. At the time when the North Road Federation was formed South Road losses were much fewer than they are today. The fanciers were not sick of losses they were unable to win out of turn and subsequently formed an organisation with a radius designed to exclude the fanciers who were doing the bulk of winning in Ayrshire Federation. Note-your organisation has it's roots in Kyle/Ballochmyle areas. Neither of these Federations exist now. So what we have is an organisation formed, not from ambition, but from a membership desire to be bigger fish in a smaller pond. Effectively a lowering of standards. When the realised that they were struggling for numbers they increased the radius and their existence has weakened all organisations in the area meaning that pigeon racing has become less competitive and more expensive due to the additional expenses incurred. I have no intention of entering into a discussion but thought I would add my perception of the facts.

I am almost certain Lindsay lives in Ardrossan does he not?

Happy Birthday Joan!

Each transporter has it's own characteristics. On this occasion there were 3 transporters in use. Each would have had a different temperature inside and each would have had their own drinking arrangement. The quality of air would have been dependant on both the ventilation system and density of pigeon on each unit. Therefore the birds on each transporter would have been subjected to widely varying conditions in the days since arrival on site and liberation. When a race involves only a short stay in the transporter this will be of little consequence but for longer stays I am sure it must have a bearing on the "Open" result. The above is not a criticism of anyone or anything but we must strive towards evening the playing field for every pigeon and every fancier.

I saw one of their club results on another site but no velocities but they must have been fast.

Are the birds still at Maidstone or are they on the move?

This will be the same Mr. Spinks who is Race Controller for one of the Peterborough Federations while he is sitting in a lorry convoying for the NRCC and is not contactable on the landline quoted in the BHW and also the RPRA web site.

I tried to PM you but I am told you are not receiving any new messages.

Honestly I'm not sure I think you need to be friends with the poster but I'm not sure. It looks like a lovely evening there at the moment.

There is a pic of the transporters at Maidstone on facebook accompanied by the following text. SNFC transporters at monks lake, Maidstone, Doo,s watered, fed and watered again, all the best to all competing. Hopefully get a race the morra .

He also wrote "Win with Olympic". I believe he was also an officer in the Pigeon Service during the war. Which war I am not sure.

High cloud cover and only a slight breeze in Ayrshire. Temperatures about 10 degrees.

Ayrshire constant rain all morning so far with poor visibility. Wind is gusty South Westerly.

Yes they will have a target and when they have reached that they will then start to support other species such as sparrows and starlings. The public will fund this project no problem.